Symbolic
Representation
Vocab activity #1
Vocabulary Collectors
symbolism (noun) — the use of symbols to represent ideas or
qualities.
symbol (noun) — a thing that represents or stands for something else,
esp. a material object representing something abstract.
Meaningful writing activity = symbolic representations
Vocabulary Collectors
symbolism (noun) — the use of
objects to represent ideas or
qualities (often abstract).
What might these 4 material objects
(touchable) represent that can’t be
physically touched? Click to start.
Meaningful writing activity = symbolic representations
Vocabulary Collectors
We Wear the Mask
by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
Poets use symbolism…as seen here.
From your own perspective, what
does the mask here represent
symbolically? How about the vile
(unpleasant) clay beneath our feet?
Re-read the poem knowing this: Paul
Laurence Dunbar was
an African-American poet.
This poem was published in
1896 at a point in history when
equality was still very questionable.
Thinking from his perspective, what do
you think the mask symbolizes?
Meaningful writing activity = symbolic representations
Vocabulary Collectors
We Wear the Mask
by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
Time to collect some vocabulary words!
guile (noun) — sly or crafty
intelligence; skillful trickery.
transitive verb form: (to) beguile
adjective form: guiling or beguiling
If you were to symbolically represent
this abstract noun (guile can’t be
touched, after all) with a concrete
noun (which can be touched, like a
mask), what noun would you choose?
Come up with three different ideas by
talking with a partner.
Meaningful writing activity = symbolic representations
Vocabulary Collectors
What do you think of my explanation?
guile (noun) — sly or crafty
intelligence; skillful trickery.
transitive verb form: (to) beguile
adjective form: guiling or beguiling
My Symbolic Representation:
I went with a magician’s
hat for this word
because when tricks
beguile me, I frustrate
really easily. Magicians
are definitely sly and
Image found at
http://www.wpclipart.com
crafty.
Meaningful writing activity = symbolic representations
Vocabulary Collectors
We Wear the Mask
by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
Let’s try another vocabulary word!
myriad (adjective) — describing
something countless or extremely
great in number.
noun form: also myriad, as in a
myriad of stars in the sky.
If you were to represent this abstract
adjective/noun with something
concrete, what would you choose?
Come up with your most original idea
(not stars!) by talking with a partner.
Then create a smart two- or threesentence explanation of your choice.
Meaningful writing activity = symbolic representations
Vocabulary Collectors
Symbolic Representation Vocabulary Rubric:
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point
The representation
does all of these:
The representation
does three of these:
The representation
does two of these:
The representation
does one of these:
•
The symbol is
original, not cliché.
•
The symbol is
original, not cliché.
•
The symbol is
original, not cliché.
•
The symbol is
original, not cliché.
•
The description is at
least 2 sentences
that contain no
spelling errors.
•
The description is at
least 2 sentences
that contain no
spelling errors.
•
The description is at
least 2 sentences
that contain no
spelling errors.
•
The description is at
least 2 sentences
that contain no
spelling errors.
•
The description is
very clear on the
why behind the
chosen symbol.
•
The description is
very clear on the
why behind the
chosen symbol.
•
The description is
very clear on the
why behind the
chosen symbol.
•
The description is
very clear on the
why behind the
chosen symbol.
•
The representation is •
presented in a neat
and colorful way.
The representation is •
presented in a neat
and colorful way.
The representation is •
presented in a neat
and colorful way.
The representation is
presented in a neat
and colorful way.
Click here for a printable version of this rubric for your students.
Meaningful writing activity = symbolic representations
Vocabulary Collectors
Symbolic Representation Rubric:
4 points
3 points
The representation
does all of these:
The representation
does three of these:
•
The symbol is
original, not cliché.
•
The description is at
least 2 sentences
that contain no
spelling errors.
•
•
The description is
very clear on the
why behind the
chosen symbol.
•
•
The representation is •
presented in a neat
and colorful way.
•
The symbol is
original, not cliché.
The description is at
least 2 sentences
that contain no
spelling errors.
Check out the following student samples.
Decide if they should earn a 3 or a 4:
Online Student Samples to Analyze:
Sample #1 - Aidan
Sample #2 - Shea
Sample #3 - Lynn
Sample #4 - Matt
Sample #5 - Jolie
The description is
very clear on the
why behind the
chosen symbol.
The representation is
presented in a neat
and colorful way.
Meaningful writing activity = symbolic representations
Symbolic Representation Success Criteria:
I will…
• include a well thought-out symbol to represent
the word’s meaning
• include a sentence(s) explaining why I have
chose that symbol
• include a sentence(s) using the word that
relates to the symbol I choose
• make sure I have included all the elements
needed in a vocab writing task
• be neat and demonstrate effort in my task